Seductive Memory

by Altonya Washington

  Paula and Miranda Bormann arrived at the Joss offices that afternoon just past 1:00 p.m.

  “Oh my, is that him?”

  Paula frowned over Miranda Bormann’s breathy comment and then followed the woman’s fixed stare across the room. They had been shown to one of the corner conference areas. The meeting would begin in less than a half hour.

  Paula cleared her throat quietly when she saw Linus speaking with Bormann’s investigator, Rick Lurie, and his associates.

  “Yeah.” She forced out the word in a hushed tone when she felt Bormann’s eyes on her.

  “Goodness, girl, how’d you stand walking away from a thing of beauty like that?”

  “I wasn’t the one who walked away.”

  “Oh, honey.” Bormann pulled Paula aside. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s nothing, Professor B—”

  “Shh now.” Miranda Bormann gave an impatient shake of her head. “I can imagine how that had to sting, and to go through it twice in a lifetime...” Again, she shook her head. “I couldn’t imagine having to say goodbye to my Henry that way.”

  Paula gave the woman’s shoulders a slight shake. “You don’t have anything to apologize for—I wanted to help. I owe you for what I’ve become.”

  “No, Paula, you owe that to working your ass off, and you owe it to yourself to be happy. Don’t let this stop that.”

  “I’m not.” Paula looked toward Linus again. “I’m not, but I think he is. We were right there, and then all this. I think it has him believing he’s disappointed me or something—thinking we’re back to where we were the night everything went crazy.”

  “Have you told him that’s not true?”

  Paula smiled sadly, then shook her head. “I haven’t really had the chance. Hmph...maybe I just haven’t taken the chance.”

  “Tsk, tsk...” The retired professor shook her head, but playfulness brightened her eyes. “My love, haven’t you learned a thing from what I’ve taught you? Sometimes the chance—in all its perfect timing—never comes. You just have to make your move and pray for the best.” Before Paula could respond, Bormann was pushing past her to extend a hand to Linus and looking up at him with a savory smile.

  Linus accepted the handshake. “Glad to meet you, Dr. Bormann. I wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.”

  Miranda Bormann gave a playful sigh. “If it weren’t for these circumstances, chances are we wouldn’t be meeting at all, unless—” she regarded Paula with a quick, sly look “—you’re going to make an honest woman out of my favorite student.”

  “I’m working on it, Professor.” Linus looked to Paula as well and then back to Bormann. “Your nephews should be here soon.”

  Bormann appeared to shudder. “Ingrates. They’ve made me happy I never became a mother.”

  “I’m sorry, Dr. Bormann.”

  Bormann waved away Linus’s apology. “I’m the one who should be apologizing for interfering with what was surely a very satisfying trip.”

  “Professor B...”

  Linus grinned over Paula’s admonishing tone. “Protecting my business is very important to me, Dr. Bormann. Thank you for going to Paula and encouraging her to come to me.”

  Bormann patted Linus’s forearm. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

  Linus’s smile remained while his eyes followed Bormann’s departure. “She’s somethin’ else.”

  “You don’t know the half.” Paula smiled as well and then looked to Linus. “Back on the island, I was surprised to hear you’d left.”

  “I needed to get back and fix this.”

  Paula studied the muscle dancing along his strong jaw. “What exactly is ‘this’?” She swallowed at the steadiness of his eyes trained on hers.

  “This is me doing my job, Paula.” His gaze continued its trek across her mouth, neck and chest.

  Paula forbid herself to swoon beneath its potency and latched on to the next conversation piece that entered her mind. “My holiday party—I, um, I invited you. Will you be there?”

  “I want to be—”

  “Sorry for the interruption, Linus, DA Starker.” Joss assistant Desmond Wallace gave Paula an apologetic smile before whispering something to Linus.

  Linus sent Desmond away with a nod before turning back to Paula. He squeezed her hand and left her.

  * * *

  Calvin Maxton was all big grins and sparkling eyes when he was shown into Eli’s office.

  “Santigo! Linus! Eli!” Maxton greeted the partners with hearty handshakes before turning to the man who had accompanied him.

  “My partner, Hayden Bormann.” Maxton offered an uncertain smile when it appeared that the Joss partners weren’t interested in additional handshakes.

  “You say Mr. Bormann is your partner?” Tig said, in an apparent effort to set the meeting on its intended course. “There’s gotta be more than that—you guys look like brothers.”

  “But not as close as that, right?” Eli guessed.

  “No,” Linus answered. “Not as close as that.”

  Maxton and Bormann traded looks laced with a silent message that something wasn’t right.

  “Have we missed something?” Maxton queried with a shaky laugh.

  “No, but I did.” Linus sighed, the sound not at all comforting. “Claudette’s Key. Your aunt’s got a nice middle name—Claudette.”

  Discovery surged in the cousins’ gazes. Then Maxton was moving close to Linus with his hands outstretched, as though an apology was forthcoming.

  “Save it,” Linus said.

  “I’d do what he says,” Tig added. “We aren’t keen to have bloodshed on the premises, but we may turn a blind eye in this case. Linus.” Tig turned the floor back over to his partner.

  “Let’s hear from your cousin, Cal,” Linus decided, taking a slow turn around the room. “We know it was his idea to suggest this project and have you act as the front man. You’re brave to show up here, Bormann. We know you’re trying to stay under the radar of the detective your aunt hired.”

  Hayden Bormann managed a modicum of coolness. “She won’t be thinking about detectives in a few weeks. She’ll be too busy thinking of all the money about to flood her accounts when we start booking suites at the villa.”

  “The land isn’t yours to do anything with,” Eli reminded him. “Legally it belongs to Miranda Claudette Bormann.”

  “And you guys care about this why?” Hayden Bormann snapped. “Your bank accounts are already singing from the preliminary payments we’ve made. As per our agreement, you’re entitled to a share of the profits from our inaugural bookings. Our call center is already taking reservation requests.”

  “You think our agreement’s still valid after this?” Tig almost laughed.

  “My aunt’s finances haven’t suffered.” Hayden Bormann gave a flip of his hand. “I never shifted any funds that weren’t immediately replaced.”

  “That’s funny how you make ‘shifted’ sound like ‘stole,’” Eli noted.

  Bormann bristled. “Check her books. You’ll see I’m telling the truth.”

  “For a change.”

  The men turned collectively when a door opened and Miranda Bormann stepped into the conference room. Joining her was Paula, the professor’s private investigators and a few others.

  Miranda Bormann approached her nephews. A moment later the room echoed with the vicious slaps she laid to their faces. “You’re nothing but stains on the family name. You’ve been millionaires since birth and that’s still not enough.”

  “Aunty Mir—”

  “I hope you’re not about to say you just wanted something of your own.” Miranda Bormann’s expression was a knowing one. “You always were such a hilarious child, Hayden. Did you think I’d find this funny?”

  Subdued, Hayden Bormann looked toward the floor. “I put it al
l back.”

  “And you thought that would make this alright?” the woman hissed back to her nephew.

  “Aunt Miranda.” Calvin Maxton moved close. “I am sorry. Please know that.”

  “Oh, I do, Cal.” Miranda Bormann’s voice softened seconds before the hard light returned to her eyes. “I’m afraid it’s not me you have to convince though. There’s the family and I do believe several laws were broken.”

  “You can’t do this!” Maxton cried, all trace of apology and humbleness gone.

  “Actually, she can,” Paula interjected.

  “She’s the DA, in case you didn’t know.” Miranda Bormann smiled. “I’d believe her if I were you.”

  “Are you really going to make a bigger deal over this than we have to?” Hayden Bormann looked just as outraged as Maxton.

  “You made it a bigger deal when you stole from me and then involved your cousin to help you hide it.”

  “Oh to hell with you, Aunty!” Hayden Bormann lashed out, shaking off the restraining hand his cousin set to his shoulder. “You talk about stealing when you and Uncle Hank had more than you were entitled to! Uncle Hank hoarded everything because he was the firstborn.”

  Miranda Bormann rolled her eyes. “That’s not true. Everyone was well looked after in your grandparents’ wills.”

  “And Henry best of all.” Hayden sneered. “He took over half my dad’s inheritance.”

  “Because your father was unfit to care for it back then!” Miranda Bormann raged. “How long was it before his get-richer-quicker schemes cost him everything? You and your mother would’ve been homeless were it not for your uncle. His stepping in made your father a better man in the end.”

  “Oh yes! We mustn’t forget to grovel at the feet of my uncle—the great Henry Bormann! I want what’s rightfully mine!”

  Amid Hayden Bormann’s rant, Paula noticed Linus. His expression radiated a coldness anyone would’ve noticed were they not all riveted on the scene between Miranda Bormann and her nephews. Paula watched him look away from the family squabble, hands in his pockets.

  “I think I’ve said all I should.” Hayden Bormann managed to look indignant in the face of his deceit. “If you want to play it this way, you can play with my lawyers.”

  “A fine idea, Bormann.” One of the men who had remained silent spoke up finally. “Rory Crane, Detective. Philadelphia PD. My associates and I have a few questions of our own.”

  Maxton and Bormann stared in disbelief.

  “You’re arresting us?” Maxton gasped.

  “Not yet,” Crane said. “This might go easier for you if you cooperate from the start.”

  “Cooperate?” Maxton bristled and began to distance himself from his cousin. “Now wait just a damn minute! My business is on the level, always has been. Hayden came to me—”

  “Cal—”

  “This was his idea—”

  “Cal, you lying snitch—”

  “Which is it?” Paula stepped in. “Is he lying or snitching? The two kind of cancel each other out, you know?”

  “What is this? Some kind of entrapment?” Hayden Bormann turned his anger on Paula. “Are you running some kind of game on my aunt—at her age?”

  Bormann began advancing on Paula and quickly stopped in his tracks. Linus had moved from his post near the windows to intercept him. Hayden Bormann halted immediately at the sight of this evidently powerful adversary.

  Paula saw that Linus wasn’t stopping, however. She rushed to take his arm, before he’d covered the distance to his quarry. Tig and Eli stood as well, just as ready to hold back—or defend—their friend.

  Linus didn’t look at Paula but kept his gaze, then rage-darkened to a thick molasses brown, fixed on Hayden Bormann. “Crane, get this garbage out of my sight before you have to arrest me too.”

  The detectives wasted no time. Maxton and Bormann resumed their rants as they were led from the room. Miranda, her private investigator and his associates followed, as did Tig and Eli. Paula watched them go, knowing she should too. Yet she couldn’t seem to move.

  Linus had returned to his spot by the window. “You should go,” he told her. “Don’t worry, Paula. I’m good.”

  “I know, I—” She sighed, then turned, allowing a sudden sense of defeat to consume her. “Bye, Linus.” She didn’t wait for him to return the farewell, knowing that would have broken her heart into a million more shards. She sprinted for the door and left without further delay.

  * * *

  Philadelphia had become an increasingly frigid terrain. Still, the brutal chill did nothing to discourage Paula’s guests from turning out in force. That evening, she entertained from the home she kept in the quiet elegance of Chestnut Hill, one of Philadelphia’s most desired communities. The invitation said she was celebrating the next chapter in her life, but offered no further clues. Paula didn’t keep her guests in suspense too long and made the announcement that she wouldn’t be seeking reelection to the DA’s office.

  The guests didn’t seem as surprised as their hostess expected. Paula was the one surprised, in fact, when the majority of the people in the room chose not to believe her. At any rate, the night was off to a fantastic start, made more festive when the deputy mayor encouraged his fellow partygoers to place their bets on whether or not the DA would follow through on her plans.

  * * *

  “I, for one, am glad to hear you’re pushing back from work. That way your calendar will be free when you get my invite.” Rayelle tried to keep her expression schooled when she shared the tidbit later that evening.

  Intrigue had Paula lifting an eyebrow. “Invite? To what?” she asked.

  Rayelle cast a quick look over her shoulder. “Eli’s ready to pop the question to Clarissa.”

  Paula’s light eyes widened. “Seriously?” Her voice was hushed.

  Rayelle replied with a smug nod and then looked a smidge concerned. “Keep it to yourself, alright? It’s still in the planning stages.”

  “Got it.” Paula sighed. “I should tell you, Ray, I don’t know how in the mood I am for another Bahamas getaway.”

  “Good, since this won’t be one. My girl Clari is more of a snow fan.”

  “That’s right.” Paula winced, recalling that Clarissa David had grown up in the sun. “Well, keep me posted. Especially on the guest list.”

  It was Rayelle’s turn to wince. “Things still complicated with you and Linus?”

  “Complicated.” Paula smiled in confirmation.

  “So is he coming tonight?”

  “Doubtful.” Paula shook her head to ward off impending tears. “A lot of what happened with Miranda Bormann and her nephew reminds him of his past family stuff. I think he’s too focused on whatever that did to him to focus on what’s happening between us right now.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  “Only thing I can do.” Paula shrugged. “I’ll fight it.”

  Rayelle smiled and nodded her approval.

  “And you?” Paula’s smile was a sly one when her new friend seemed confused. “I hope you don’t think you and Barker were inconspicuous. When you were in the room, he could barely stop looking at you.”

  Rayelle gave her own lazy shrug. “Well, that’s how it was arranged, right? All of us being coupled off.”

  “And that’s all?”

  Ray rolled her eyes. “Well, hell no, Paula. I mean, have you seen him? He’s gorgeous.” She shook off the admission and suddenly appeared a little woeful. “Gorgeous and smart and accomplished and comes from money and...so not for me. Mine is not the kind of background to be considered the proper sort for a guy whose family money dates back to before the Civil War.”

  Paula inclined her head in acknowledgment of the well-known pedigree of Philadelphia’s most respected reporter.

  “You know, Ray, all of what you’re saying
? It’s pretty much the same thing I told myself about Linus.”

  “I know, but you’re the DA, Paula, and a lawyer before that.” Ray cast an uncertain look around the large, warmly festive room. “I manage a night club and we both know what I did before that.”

  “Honey, Barker doesn’t care about that.”

  “No. Not now he doesn’t, but he would eventually.”

  Paula arched a brow. “Sounds like you’ll be keeping your eye on the guest list for our next trip too.”

  Ray sighed out her laughter. “Are we a pair or what?”

  Paula moved close and bumped her shoulder to Ray’s. “Doubtful on that. I know what I want, but it sounds like you still need convincing. Just don’t stress it so much, alright?” She let her expression turn coy. “I’m pretty sure you’ll have a good time being convinced.” She gave Ray another nudge and headed off.

  * * *

  Paula made her way hastily through the crowd then, only allowing herself to get tangled in the briefest of conversations. She’d meant what she had said to Ray. She knew what she wanted. She knew, and she was going after it. As it wouldn’t do for the DA to be caught sneaking out of her own party, she made her way around to the kitchen and into the short corridor off the pantry. The caterers were all cordoned off to the opposite side of the large area nearest the dining room. In no danger of being discovered, she bundled up for the weather and set out. She gave one last glance over her shoulder and then turned back into the night and right into Linus.

  His smile flashed brilliant white as he grinned. “Doesn’t say much for the party when it’s being ditched by the hostess.”

  “I’ll have you know I throw amazing parties.” Paula gave a saucy toss of her head, her tone one of playful indignation.

  “Mmm...but not amazing enough to keep you on the premises, huh?”

  She sobered a bit then. “I had something to handle.”